FAIRFIELD, CT - The Iona College softball team got Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play started in grand fashion Sunday, sweeping Fairfield in a two game set at Alumni SB Field.  In game one, the Gaels were victorious 3-1 before securing a 4-3 win in a close game two.

In game one, the Gaels got on the board in the top of the first.  With one out, senior Deanne Algeo doubled to center before senior Chelsea Sheehan followed with a single, advancing to second on the play.  Senior Alyssa Maiese followed with a single to score Algeo, with Sheehan scoring after a misplay in the outfield.

Iona put across its third run of the game in the sixth inning.  Freshman Brianna Schauer singled to lead off the inning.  After pinch runner Allison Hand was sacrificed to second, and moved to third on a groundout, junior Jodi Peterson drove her in with a single through the left side.

Fairfield scored its lone run of the contest in the sixth on an RBI fielder's choice by Alli Wigand.  Senior Sarah Jackson earned the win for the Gaels, allowing just three hits and one run in seven innings, moving her season record to 8-6.  Rebecca Trott was charged with the loss for Fairfield, allowing seven hits, three runs, two earned, and six walks in seven innings.

In game two, Maiese continued her strong hitting, putting the Gaels up early 2- 0 with a two-out home run to left field, scoring Sheehan, who reached after being hit by a pitch.

After that, Maiese, in the circle for game two, and Fairfield starter Rae Ball would trade zeros on the scoreboard.  Iona was able to scratch out just two hits until the sixth inning, when they scored twice.

Algeo led off the inning by reaching on a Fairfield infield error, and moved to second on a sacrifice by Sheehan.  Maiese delivered once again, driving in Algeo with a double to right center.  Maiese then scored her second run of the game when Schauer delivered an RBI single to the left side to put Iona ahead 4-0.

Maiese did not allow a hit to the Stags, until a double by Lauren Liseth in the seventh inning.  Mikayla Shumate reached on an error, and Liseth followed with her double to put runners on second and third. Wigand hit a fly ball to deep right field that was mishandled, and allowed both runners to score and put a runner on third base.  Rachel Beaudoin took Wigand's place on the base paths and eventually scored when Kim Kurata put a ball in the hole which beat out for an infield hit.  But Maiese settled down, and got the final out to secure the Iona win.

Maiese moved to 6-6 on the year with the win, allowing two earned runs, and two hits in seven innings.  Ball took the loss for Fairfield, allowing four runs, two earned in six innings.

Iona is back in action Tuesday, when they host Hartford in a non-conference doubleheader, beginning at 2:30 pm.